As far as second courses go, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire actually manages to outshine its predecessor.

Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) are now hailed as champions of the Hunger Games, but have also earned the ire of President Snow (Donald Sutherland) for inspiring rebellion.

To keep her loved ones safe, Katniss must not only maintain the charade of being in love with Peeta, but also try to out-manoeuvre Snow's diabolical schemes.

Perfectly plotted and paced, Catching Fire has all the right ingredients, including stunning visuals and exciting action sequences. The highlight, however, is a delicious ensemble cast, which features – besides the excellent Lawrence – meaty performances from the likes of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci and Sam Claflin.

An utterly satisfying experience with plenty to sink your teeth into and leave you hungering for the next serving. –Sharmilla Ganesan(4/5 stars)

Ender's Game

I was under the impression that a film based on young adult fiction would entail the usual plotline concerning a chosen youth embarking on a world-saving mission, facing discrimination along the way but thankfully finding comfort in an equally quirky friend or lover.

Well, yes, that's the basic storyline but Ender's Game offers so much more. Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield) is a scrawny kid with a maturity (way) beyond his years and a knack for military strategy.

He sort of instinctively knows what he's doing (child prodigy much) but must overcome his insecurities to successfully lead an army against an impending alien attack.

The film skirts around the usual teen drama and delivers a deeper message that teaches the importance of ethics, discipline and taking risks.

Not having read the book – even if I hear the film doesn't do it justice – Ender's Game is still a breath of fresh air in the touchy-feely, tear-sodden world of young adult movies. –Kenneth Chaw(4/5 stars)

Kick Ass Girls

Honestly, I only went to watch this campy parody because it starred hottie Chrissie Chau, but I found toughie Hidy Yu and bubbly Dada Lo to be pretty engaging, too. As was Chui Tien You, who looks criminally underage as an otaku gamer.

And, with a title like Kick Ass Girls, who would watch this Asian version of Charlie's Angels for its plot anyway?

If you've never seen an exploitation flick by a woman filmmaker, let me tell you it's downright nasty how the girls have to take one wicked pounding after another.

It's a twisted sort of girl power demonstration from three girls who can pummel guys to a pulp but can't fight other girls to save their lives.

Josh Holloway and Chris Brown are the only "names" in a cast of otherwise unknowns, in this film about the breakdancing phenomenon (a.k.a. B-Boying). Holloway is a coach with a troubled past who nonetheless steps up to teach a group to get ready for a competition in France.

There are some stereotypical characters and scenes, but they don't take away the moments when the dancers – who are actual B-boys – show off their moves. –Mumtaj Begum (3/5 stars)